Fire extinguishing apparatus



July 3l, 1934. D, MAPEs 1,968,086

l FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS l Original Filed Aug. 31, 1927 4Sheets-Sheet l July 3l, 1934. D. MAPEs FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUSOriginal Filed Aug. 51, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Nvf/vrofr Arm/Mfrs July31, 1934. D MAPES 1,968,086

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS- original Filed Aug. 31, 19'27 4sheets-sheet 3 A TTUH/VEY S.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 D. MAPES FIRE XTINGUISHING APPARATUS Original .FiledAug. 3l, 1927 July 3l, 1934.

Snom/diez bkow's @EL U 1L Auf/M -I Patented July 31, 1934 1,938,086 Fmr:Ex'rmcmsmNG APPARATUS Daniel Mapes, Mamaroneck, N. Y., assigner toWalter Kidde & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication August 31, 1927, Serial No. 216,508

l Renewed October 24, 1929 14 Claims.

The present invention relatesto fire extinguishing apparatus of the.type wherein the extinguishing medium is stored in suitable containersunder the pressure of its own vapor. The

- fire extinguishing agent commonly used in these systems is carbonioacid gas which is maintained in liquid form in the containers under theextreme pressure of its vapor and a system of pipes is coordinated withthe containers to enable the fluid to be discharged at desired locationswhere the protection is to be afforded.

A system of the above character is illustrated in the United StatesPatent No. 1,335,394 dated March 30, 1920, `and the number of containerssupplying such systems may be varied to suit the demands of a particularinstallation. Contrary to the practice and belief know current, it hasbeen found that pipes of relatively large diameters may be used in thesesystems, the construction being qualified by the use of connectionswhich insure the speedy discharge of the fluid from all of thecontainers simultaneously.

Where an installation requires the number of containers to be multipliedgreatly, the difficulty of providing a means for effecting dischargefrom the entirebank or gang of containers simultaneously and effectivelyis confronted. It has been found that there is a practical limit to thenumber of containers'which can be controlled by direct manual force andthe present invention relates to systems wherein the number of conwtainers renders the manual control thereof difiicult, if not impossible.

Accordingly, by the present invention, it is proposed to employ theexpansive force of the extinguishing medium itself to effect thereleasey of the extinguishing medium from all of the containers asdesired and in the embodiment described herein, certain containers,described as master control containers, are set aside to supply themedium to actuate the releasing mechanism of the main supply containers.

As a further object of the invention, it is proposed to provideanautomatic safety mechanism which will prevent the actuation-of the maincontainers i'f the pressure in the master control containers becomesexcessive by reason of temperature rise while the discharge of theextinguishing medium is not needed.

Otherobjects of the invention will appear as the description proceedsand reference will now be had for a more detailed description of theinvention to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing an installation comprising -aplurality of containers provided with a suitable number of operatingdevices according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in elevation showing master control cylindersarranged to provide a supply 50 of gas under pressure for operating thegang releases shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation, partly in section, showing the devicesfor releasing the gas from the master control cylinder, with one form ofa safety device to be described.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the spacing washer used in connectionwith the release device of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view in section`taken-`y on line 5-5 70 of Figure 4 andlooking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the pressure gang release mechanismshown generally in Fig- 7 ure '1.

Figure 7 is a view in elevation showing an installation arranged tooperate in accordance with the general principles of this invention, butshowing means whereby the medium, which is supplied from the mastercontrol cylinders to operate the pressure gang release, is returned tothe main re extinguishing medium discharge line after such operation.

Y Figure 8 is a view in sectional elevation of a preferred form ofsafety device for the master control cylinder.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 8 with the capremoved.

Referring -particularly tol Figure 1, reference character a designatescontainers of a suitable nre extinguishing medium, such as carbonic acidgas in liquid form, which is maintained under the extreme pressure ofits own vapor. 'I'hese banks or gangs of containers are provided withreleasing devices b, which may be of the frangible disc type wherein thediscs are ruptured by tubular cutters i carried by threaded shafts iarranged to be operated togetherv to effect the simultaneous dischargeof the medium from all of the containers, the cutter and shaft beingshown in detail in Figure 3. Conduits b', conduct the medium from therespective containers to discharge lines b, which conduct it to thepoints at which it is to be used to extinguish fires. Arms b3, securedto the shafts i' are connected to be 105 moved simultaneously by meansof links b4 which are rigidly connected together. A suitable structurea' may be provided to support the containers in their operativepositions.

In order that all of the containers of each gang may be operatedsimultaneously, the links b4 are actuated, in their rupturing movement,by cables c passing over suitable pulleys c', and connected to rods c2,as shown at c3. A covering c4 protects the cable from accidentalmovement and thus insures operation only by the releasing devicesthrough the actuating mechanism to be described later. Mounted beneaththe cables c, are piston guides d, a medium under pressure beingsupplied thereto through conduit e. In this conduit, a bleeder nozzle e!is provided to prevent a gradual accumulation of pressure in the conduite from actuating the releasing mechanism when a slow leak exists in thecontrol cylinders.

Conduit e2 is connected to the conduit e and carries the actuatingmedium from the master control cylinders f in Figure 2. Cylinders f areprovided with disc rupturing devices in accordance with designs proposedby the present invention which, in this figure, are representedgenerally by the reference character f. Conduits f2 carry the mediumfrom the disc rupturing devices to the conduit e2 and the rupturingdevices are actuated through levers f3 which are connected forsimultaneous movement by link f4. To insure the positive actuation ofthe rupturing devices, weights f5 are connected to the respective leversf3 and are prevented from moving by link f6 which is engaged over ashoulder g -of a trigger operated by release lever g. The entire mastercontrol mechanism is mounted upon a suitable weight indicating mechanismh so that loss in weight may be detected due to the escape of the mediumfrom the cylinders.

The improved form of disc rupturing device, mentioned in connection withthe construction indicated by the reference character f1 is shown indetail in Figure 3 wherein f3 represents the operating lever, mentionedabove. A tubular cutter i, to which lever f3 is secured, is providedwith a threaded portion i to cause the cutter i to be advanced axiallyduring movement of lever f3. The ttings which secure the cutter to thevalve j form no part of this invention and are'designated generally bythe reference character i2. This same cutter mechanism is used inconnection with the discrupturing devices b of Figure 1. Threaded blocki3 carried with the valve 9' is adapted to seat gaskets between whichare carried two frangible discs 72 and i3. These discs are spaced by anannular washer :i4 which, in Figures 4 and 5, is shown to be providedwith radial grooves i5. The frangible disc i2, which is in directcontact with the medium within the cylinder, is designed to rupture at alower pressure than the disc i3. This prevents the operation of theentire apparatus due to the bursting of the frangible disc of a controlcylinder, should eX- cessive pressure be produced therein. From therupture of the rst disc 7'2, the medium escapes through the radial slotsi5 and port 7'6, into the atmosphere, thus relieving the pressurefromdisc 73 and preventing the rupture thereof.

The pressure gang releasing mechanism, indicated generally at d inFigure 7, is shown in detail in Figure 6, wherein c2 designates thepiston rod connected to the piston. The piston guide is indicated at dand a suitable guide bonnet at d. The piston rod is carried in thebonnet through a suitable packing d2 and packing nut d3. Inlet port d4in the guide bonnet serves to introduce the medium in back of the pistonto force it through the piston guide. Reference character k indicates apiston which is carried slidably within the piston guide d and isprovided with a pliable cover 7c to insure a gas-tight connection. Apassage k2 extends through the piston and provides a communication fromone side thereof to the other. The pin 7c3 extends across the passage k2and forms a seat for a coiled spring k4 which normally maintains a checkk5 away from its seat within the piston, thus permitting the passage ofa slowly accumulating medium to the exhaust side of the piston guide.Strap k6 prevents the check R5 from becoming dislodged and serves as anouter limit to its movement. A discharge port d5, at the lower end ofthe piston guide, permits the discharge of the actuating medium from thepiston guide, after the piston has moved to its extreme lower position,during which movement the disc rupturing devices on the containers havebeen actuated. In the end of the lower bonnet d6, passages d" areprovided to permit the escape of fluid which may be conned within thebonnet after the piston has passed the discharge port. A relief valvecl3, is seated by a spring dg which, in turn, is seated by the bolt, nutand washer d10. The entire mechanism may be supported upon a flange dll,which is secured to a support by an intervening spacer ring 112. In thenormal operation of the device, the piston is at the end of the pistonguide nearest the upper bonnet d1. A sleeve k7 prevents the piston fromriding past the inlet d4. Upon the admission of a medium under pressurethrough the inlet, the check k5 in the piston k closes the passage k2and the piston is moved away from the upper bonnet d1. When, the outletd5 is reached the actuating medium escapes therethrough. It will beapparent that the check h5 prevents the operation of the piston due tothe low pressure produced by a gradual leakage of the medium into thepiston guide but when the medium is introduced under full pressure thecheck is unable to remain open, and the piston is actuated. The reliefvalve d8 prevents moist air from entering the piston guide and corrodingthe interior surface thereof.

Figure 'I shows a slightly modified system wherein the containers a arearranged similarly to those in Figure 1. The disc rupturing devices b,b3 and bA are similar to those described in connection with Figure 1,and the conduits b' and bzmay also be similar to' the correspondingelements of Figure 1. At the right of this figure, control cylinders f.are provided and may have disc rupturing devices f' similar to thosepreviously described in connection with Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5. Theseveral disc rupturing devices are connected together for simultaneousoperation by the link f4 and the medium discharged from the containers fis carried through conduit e2 to the pressure gang release mechanismindicated at d. In the conduit e2 is provided a valve e3, operated by aweighted arm e4. A pull cord e5 serves to open a valve e3 to permit theflow of the medium through the conduit e2 when the disc rupturingdevices f' have been actuated through the exible connection e6 betweenthe link f4 and lever e4. The flexible link permits the valve e3 to beseated tightly regardless of the position of the link f4, and thus themedium is prevented from passing through the conduit e2 unless the corde5 has opened the valve. At the bottom of the pressure gang release, aconduit e'I is connected to the dischargeA outlet d5 of the releasingmechanism and carries the discharged medium to the main discharge lineb2. A check valve e8 is provided in the conduit eFl to prevent thebuilding up of a back pressure on the piston of the pressure gangrelease d to prevent the operation thereof. It will be apparent. fromthe above description, that the medium which has' been utilized vtorelease the main containers, is returned to the main discharge line andutilized as a re extinguishing medium.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a preferred form of disc rupturing device foruse with the master control cylinders. Instead of providing spacedfrangible discs 7'2 and i3 as described in connection with Figures 3, 4and 5, the fitting f' is provided with-a valve stem l having an axialdrilling l through which the medium within the container might passunder certain conditions. The threaded end of the fitting f' haslongitudinal grooves Z2 and thev packing gland 13 is provided withradial slots I4 which communicate with an annular groove l5. A frangibledisc l6 is seated upon an annular sealing washer or gasket l" and thevalve stem maintains the elements in a sealed condition. Thev usualfrangible disc l, seated upon the annular washer I9 is adapted to beruptured by the cutter mechanism described hereinbefore. Although thedisc l" is seated against a shearing edge of smaller diameter than thatof the disc 19, it is designed to rupture at a pressure lower than thebursting pressure of the latter disc. When, therefore, the pressure inthe container becomes excessive the disc l will rupture against theshearing edgeformed by the hole through'the valve stem l. .Upon thisrupturing the contents of the container will pass through the hole l',slots 14, annular groove l5, and longitudinal grooves Z2, thus escapingto the atmosphere. A cap 11 may be screwed over the top ofthe tting f1to protect the mechanism contained therein. In thisl form thefunctioning of the one disc is not dependent upon that of the Aother andthe desired safety precaution is obtained without jeopardizing thesuccessful operation of the rest of the system.

I claim as my invention:v

1. A iire extinguishing system comprising a main fire extinguishingdischarge line, means for maintaining va fire extinguishing. mediumunder pressure, a piston guide, a piston movable therein, means toconnect the piston to control the operation of a portion of the firstmeans, means to supply a portion of said re extinguishing medium underpressure to one side of said piston, and means to direct said portion ofthe fire extinguishing medium into the main fire extinguishing mediumdischarge line after the piston has reached the end of its usefulstroke.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, comprising a piston, apiston guide, a piston rod connecting the piston with apparatus to beoperated thereby, a source of supply of gas under pressure, an inletfrom the source into the piston guide for admitting gas under pressureto one side of the piston., a relief for preventing the building up ofback pressure on the opposite side of the piston from the inlet, a.4port through said piston for allowing the escape of any gas leaking intothe 'piston guide, a normally open check associated with said port, andyielding means normally holding said check open, said means beingovercome by the admission of the gas to one side of the piston to closethe check to prevent the escape of gas, and a discharge outletlcommunicating with the piston guide on the opposite side of the pistonfrom the inlet to permit the release of the actuating gas when. thepiston has reached the end of its useful stroke.

3. In an apparatus for creating a uni-directional actuating force forthe operation' of devices for releasing a flre extinguishing mediumunder pressure, the combination of a piston, a piston guide, a pistonrod connecting the piston with the devices to be operated, a source ofsupply of re extinguishing medium under pressure, an inlet into thepiston guide for admitting a portion of the fire extinguishing mediumunder pressure to one side of the piston, a non-return relief valve forpreventing the building up of back pres` sure on the opposite side ofthe piston from the inlet, a port through said piston for allowing theescape of any gas leaking into the piston guide, a. normally open checkassociated with said Dort. yielding means to hold said check in'anormally open position, said means being overcome by the admission ofthe medium under pressure to one side of the piston to close the checkto prevent the escape of the actuating gas, a discharge outlet topermitthe release of the fire extinguishing medium when the piston hasreached the end of its useful stroke, and means connecting the dischargeto the main re extinguishing medium discharge line.

4. In an apparatus of the character described,

a piston, a piston guide, a piston rod connecting' the piston withapparatus to be operated thereby, a source of supply of gas underpressure, a supply line communicating with the source, an inlet from thesupply line into the piston guide for admitting gas under pressure toone side of the piston, means for preventing the building up of backpressure on the opposite side of the piston from the inlet, and a bleedport freely communicating with the inlet and a region of relatively lowpressure to prevent the forward movement of the piston by the pressureof gas leaking into the piston guide and gradually relieve the gaspressure exerted on the piswn.

4 5. A re extinguishing system comprising a re extinguishing dischargeline, means for maintaining a iire extinguishing medium under pressure,a piston` guide, a piston movable therein, means to connect the pistonto control the discharge of a portion of the fire extinguishing mediumby controlling .the operation of a portion of the rst means, means tosupply another portion of said fire extinguishing medium under pressureto one side of said piston, and means rendered operative by the pistonto release said portion of the fire extinguishing medium after thepiston has reached the end of its useful stroke.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a piston, a piston guide,a piston rod connecting the pistonwith apparatus to be operated thereby,a source of supply of gas under pressure, a sup-- ply line communicatingwith the source, an niiet from the supply line into the piston guide foradmitting gas under pressure to one side of the piston, and a bleed portfreely communicating with the inlet and a region of relatively lowpressure to prevent the forward movement of the piston by the pressureofgas leaking into the piston guide andgradually relieve the gaspressure exerted von the piston.

'1. In an apparatus of the character described,

comprising a pistn, a piston guide, a piston rod connecting. the pistonwith apparatus to be oper- I ated thereby, a source of supply of gasunder pressure, an inlet from the source into the piston guide foradmitting gas under pressure to one side of the piston, a relief forpreventing the building up of back pressure on the opposite side of thepiston from the inlet, a port communicating with the inlet and a regionof relatively low pressure for allowing the escape of any gas leakinginto the piston guide, a normally open check associated with said port,and yielding means normally holding said check open, said means beingover-y come by the admission of the gas to one side of the piston toclose the check to prevent the escape of gas, and a discharge outletcommunicating with the piston guide on the opposite side of the pistonfrom the inlet when the piston is in its normal inoperative position, topermit the release of the actuating gas when the piston has reached theend of its useful stroke.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acontainer for a medium under pressure, a releasing device associatedtherewith, means operable by the released medium and including anoperating connection to the releasing device, and means normally closingoif the operating connection for preventing operation of the last namedmeans, means to render the preventing means ineffective, and meansactuated by the last named means to actuate the releasing means.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acontainer for a medium under pressure, a releasing device associatedtherewith, means operable by the released medium and including anoperating connection to the releasing device, and means normally closingoff the voperating connection for preventing operation of the last namedmeans, means to render the preventing means ineiective, and flexiblemeans actuated by the last named means to actuate the releasing means.

10. In an apparatus of the character described,

I the combination of a plurality of containers for a fire extinguishingmedium, medium releasing devices associated with the containers, a fluidpressure operated uni-directional actuating force producing device apartfrom the.containers, an operating connection connecting the last nameddevice With the medium releasing devices for effecting operationthereof, a control cylinder containing a medium under pressure, meansfor discharging said pressure medium in a direction for operating saidactuating force producing device with the medium under pressure, andmeans independent of the actuating force producing device for preventingthe operation of said actuating force producing device due to anaccidental discharge of the actuating medium from the control cylinderin the direction for operating said actuating force producing device.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acontainer for a medium under pressure, a releasing device associatedtherewith, means ope`rable by the released medium and including anoperating connection to the releasing device, means normally closing offthe operating connection for preventing operation of the last namedmeans, and common means to substantially simultaneously render thepreventing means ineiective and actuate the releasing means.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aplurality of containers for a fire extinguishing medium, mediumreleasing devices associated with the containers, a fluid pressureoperated uni-directional actuating force producing device apart from thecontainers, an operating connection connecting the last named devicewith the medium releasing devices for effecting operation thereof, acontrol cylinder containing a, medium underpressure, means fordischarging said pressure medium in a direction for operating saidactuating force producing device with the medium under pressure, andmeans independent of the actuating force producing device for preventingaccidental discharge of the actuating medium from the control cylinderin the direction for operating said actuating force producing device.

13. A re extinguishing system comprising a main fire extinguishing line,means for maintaining a re extinguishing medium under pres-- sure, apiston guide, a piston movable therein, means to connect the piston tocontrol the operation of the rst means, means to supply a flreextinguishing medium under pressure to one side of said piston, andmeans to direct said last named re extinguishing medium into the mainfire extinguishing medium discharge line after the piston has reachedthe end of its useful stroke.

14. In an apparatus for creating a uni-directional actuating force forthe operation of devices for releasing a fire extinguishing medium underpressure, the combination of a piston, a piston guide, a piston rodconnecting the piston with the devices to be operated, a source ofsupply of re extinguishing medium under pressure, an inlet into thepiston guide for admitting a fire extinguishing medium under pressure toone side of the piston, a non-return relief valve for preventing thebuilding up of back pressure on the opposite side ofthe piston from theinlet, a port through said piston for allowing the escape of any gasleaking into the piston guide, a normally open check associated withsaid port, yielding means to hold said check in a normally openposition, said means being overcome by the admission of the medium underpressure to one side of the piston to close the check to prevent theescape of the actuating gas, a discharge outlet to permit the release ofthe re extinguishing medium when the piston hasreached the end of itsuseful stroke, and means connecting the discharge to the main fireextinguishing medium discharge line.

DANIEL MAPES.

